My son has recently bought a house, it had a fire place but was boarded up, someone has tried to put in something new but it looks bloody awful, snots of cement and everything, I wouldnt want to try and use it

Can anyone give any tips on repairing a fire place, it would be used for log burning, only, I'm not a pro brickie, but have built several walls around my gaerden

I am a plumber I have checked the chimney works and 'draws' but the 'damper' has gone as well (maybe thats why it was boarded up, I'd like to get this up to a fully working fire again, anyone help out withg tips and advice, what matierials are needed, planning permissions, pictures, websites

I would invest in a cast iron log burner myself,its more efficent,it needs to be inspected and passed by a HETAS engineer.But if you want a traditional fire you need to install a fireback and throat,Set it in place and use only lime and sand or vermiculite to fill the void at the back,Expansion of the material is the key problem, and unless you know how to fit it properly then it will crack.Check out youtube for more information.For cast iron log burners try Ebay.

when fitting a cast iron log burner, the flue and registerplate need to be inspected once fitted.You can do the work yourself and its relatively easy.Search youtube videos for installation,it will give you some idea of whats involved.

Derrick241,You've posed a very general question.Suggest you try and fit a proprietory fireback and grate with a damper to close off the chimney if you can find one. Have a look at the Baxi Burnall range for some ideas.end

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